Karate at 2020 Tokyo Olympics

[sensei8]

I hope that Karate doesn't become an official anything with the Olympics. Why? I believe it might further devalue Karate. How? Karate ISN'T a sport, and this is my opinion, and Karate shouldn't become a sport.

Hence, Karate-do!!

Just because Judo and TKD are a part of the IOC, doesn't mean that Karate should follow suite. I'm not going to speak toward Judo and TKD being a part of the IOC beyond that they are, because, I'm not either a Judo practitioner or a TKD practitioner.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, but as far as Karate is concerned, imho, it's not, not in the least.

Call me old fashioned!! Nonetheless, change is good...except this!!

[brickshooter]

Kyokushin knockdown rules absent face punching are pretty lame in my opinion. I hope that they adopt Daido Juku rules & equipment instead. This is by far the best spectator martial art to watch.

[The Pred]

I hope that Karate doesn't become an official anything with the Olympics. Why? I believe it might further devalue Karate. How? Karate ISN'T a sport, and this is my opinion, and Karate shouldn't become a sport.

Hence, Karate-do!!

Just because Judo and TKD are a part of the IOC, doesn't mean that Karate should follow suite. I'm not going to speak toward Judo and TKD being a part of the IOC beyond that they are, because, I'm not either a Judo practitioner or a TKD practitioner.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, but as far as Karate is concerned, imho, it's not, not in the least.

Call me old fashioned!! Nonetheless, change is good...except this!!

I doubt the average person will know the difference between TKD and Karate.

[Kusotare]

As I understand it, one of the major obstacles that karate has continually faced tying to get into the Olympics is participant safety.

(Too much blood shed goes against the Olympic way of things).

TKD overcame this with the head guards and the body shield etc.

Although WKF karate-ka currently wear under gi chest plates - I don't believe head guards are compulsory (it will be interesting to see if they become so for the Olympics).

As for knock down karate and UFC style MMA - I can't ever see them getting in... Too much risk of blood being drawn.

K.

[Wado Heretic]

I have always been opposed to kata competition; especially inter-style, primarily as it becomes a dance competition. It becomes a show emphasising aesthetics and athleticism, over the development of effective technique and retention of combative principles. A stated though, just an opinion, but it is the only way in which I am opposed to gamification, and sport as an aspect of karate culture.

I am not sure where I stated it else where, but the sport variety of kumite is not karate, nor is it reflective of karate as a whole. It is just a part of modern karate culture a person can take part in, or not. This is true now, and remains true whether it is an Olympic sport or not. For a long time now karate-ka have taken different paths; it began with the divergence between the Okinawan and Japanese disciplines, before beginning to diverge between sport and traditional karate, and now in the modern age the divergence between different varieties of sport karate and those karate-ka who identify their approach as reality based. If point kumite becomes an Olympic sport; those who partake in point kumite are the ones who will benefit, or suffer, for it. Those of us who do not might have our opinions, but by virtue of non-participation we really have no influence or say. The greater exposure might be a boon to karate in general, or it might encourage a move in the greater community to "Olympic Karate", but that has always been true. MMA has motivated many towards modern "reality based" training, or towards the incorporation of sophisticated grappling, or in the opposite direction towards emphasis on "tradition". What will be.

Daido Juko would be interesting, but to many it can appear like MMA in a Gi, with added protection. If knock down was the way, perhaps a Sabaki rule-set which emphasises positioning and use of targets, and allows limited grappling could work. However, end of the day, as Kusotare has pointed out, it has to be acceptable to the IOC and the audience. Knock-down would have to be done using gloves and maybe shin-protectors, and perhaps even helmets; it would no longer be knock-down as it is known. Plus knock-down rules are still the fringe in karate competition, larger than it once was but still relatively small. Also, it cannot be participated in until one is an adult; it has too small a talent pool, and a lack of appeal to be a serious consideration. Plus, the IOC has already accepted the standing WKF application; it is no longer up to debate.

I for one dislike Judo and Tae Kwon Do being olympic sports; I would rather replace them with Jacket Wrestling, and maybe some form of padded kick-boxing not unlike Nippon Kempo. No style specifics, just rule sets that allow people from multiple disciplines to be competitive in them.

[brickshooter]

IMHO, in a couple of years, the Olympics will pick between TKD and Karate. There is no way that they will keep both because they are too similar to the common spectator.

[sensei8]

I hope that Karate doesn't become an official anything with the Olympics. Why? I believe it might further devalue Karate. How? Karate ISN'T a sport, and this is my opinion, and Karate shouldn't become a sport.

Hence, Karate-do!!

Just because Judo and TKD are a part of the IOC, doesn't mean that Karate should follow suite. I'm not going to speak toward Judo and TKD being a part of the IOC beyond that they are, because, I'm not either a Judo practitioner or a TKD practitioner.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, but as far as Karate is concerned, imho, it's not, not in the least.

Call me old fashioned!! Nonetheless, change is good...except this!!

I doubt the average person will know the difference between TKD and Karate.

I doubt the average person will even watch either, but, a MAist will, if not just out of curiosity!!

[Bulltahr]

Knockdown rules, which I doubt would ever happen at the olympics would attract a hell of a lot more viewers than TKD and Point fighting.

Just my thought on the matter. But with WKF heavily involved, I'm sure it will be point fighting...... Don't think we will see it past Tokyo................

[Wastelander]

Jesse Enkamp, of Karate by Jesse fame, recently posted a video outlining his views on the matter:

https://www.facebook.com/karatebyjesse/videos/1235511743128516/

While I understand his perspective, I disagree with it. That said, I also understand that everyone--on both sides of the argument--is just speculating and sharing opinions. We don't have any facts to back us up, at this point, and we won't until after the 2020 Olympics are said and done. Even then, unless every karate school out there starts recording each student's reason for starting, we won't have solid facts.

[sensei8]

Jesse Enkamp, of Karate by Jesse fame, recently posted a video outlining his views on the matter:

https://www.facebook.com/karatebyjesse/videos/1235511743128516/

While I understand his perspective, I disagree with it. That said, I also understand that everyone--on both sides of the argument--is just speculating and sharing opinions. We don't have any facts to back us up, at this point, and we won't until after the 2020 Olympics are said and done. Even then, unless every karate school out there starts recording each student's reason for starting, we won't have solid facts.

Thanks for sharing that video of Jesse's, Noah!!

I share your thoughts, Noah; wholeheartedly!!

There are other ways to market Karate to attract prospective students, and I suppose, any way is better than no way, and using the Olympics as a marketing tool for Karate, might have its merits. Only time will tell!!